Owner Todd Varallo, right, with his grandmother Eva Varallo and daughter Samantha pose for a photo at Varallo's in 2007, the year they celebrated their 100th year in business.

Written by

Jennifer Justus
| The Tennessean

Though it was technically still breakfast time, Todd Varallo of Varallo's Chile Parlor and Restaurant pulled a container of banana pudding from the refrigerated case at the front of the cafeteria line.

The recipe for the pudding - along with recipes for the restaurant's meatloaf and pancakes and the lasagna that he makes for family at Christmas - came from his grandmother Eva.

"She was always so happy and thoughtful," he said. "When (customers) came in, she always knew everybody's names and asked how they were doing. ... Everyone just felt so welcome when they walked in." ...